THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A major fire broke out in a shop at East Fort on Tuesday. According to preliminary investigation, a gas cylinder blast in a nearby shop led to the fire. The incident happened around 12 pm. The fire forced rushed to the spot and brought the fire under control.

Four shops were completely gutted in the fire. People in nearby shops were evacuated. The locals and auto drivers rushed to help the fire force. It is reported that the fire broke out in a shawarma shop and it spread to the nearby shops. One of the three gas cylinders in the shop exploded and caused the fire.

The efforts to extinguish the fire became difficult due to extreme heat and the entire was filled with smoke. No casualties were reported. Minister Antony Raju, who visited the spot, informed that the fire force and the police reached on time and their efforts averted a major accident as the fire was brought under control. Minister V Sivankutty also reached the spot.